January 21, 2025
Atlanta has a rich history that can be seen throughout the city. Its legacy has been preserved in many ways, including buildings, historic sites, and so much more. This even includes historic spaces turned into event venues. Check out a few of our favorite historical Atlanta venues!
One of our top historic wedding venues is Naylor Hall. Naylor Hall is a historic landmark along Roswell Road and just a little north of the shopping district. Naylor Hall was built in the 1840’s by Barrington King, the son of Roswell’s founder, for the bookkeeper of his business, Roswell Mills. This venue has one of the largest, most grand entrances of all the mansions in Roswell and the front yard makes for a perfect backdrop for your wedding ceremony. There is also a bridal room upstairs above the historic staircase and a dance area in the rear of the house that is beautiful. This area contains a bar and tons of great light, which is wonderful for photographing events here. What really makes Naylor Hall such a wonderful venue is the staff! Abby is an incredible manager and planner, and the Naylor Hall staff are all professionals who are dedicated to making your wedding day as elegant and stress-free as possible.
The Roswell Mill Club is another picturesque historic venue that offers a beautiful backdrop for your big day. The mill ruins are part of the Roswell Manufacturing Company constructed in 1839. You can still see the mill trace and dam along with other artifacts from the mill. The waterfall was created when the creek was dammed to provide waterpower and the power for the original machine shop. There are huge windows with views of Old Mill Park and the river, and lovely hardwood floors throughout the venue. The building is complete with a large, covered deck overlooking Vickery Creek, set with outdoor sofas and tables. Crystal chandeliers, a mix of antiques, and modern decor give the venue a sophisticated feel and trees wrapped with twinkle lights and lanterns provide wonderful accents for your event. The elegant feel is completed by a covered Bridge at the front door that offers the opportunity for wonderful photos. The venue offers a separate bridal suite, wedding coordinator, and decor for the event, as well as catering and clean up services.
The Payne Corley House in Duluth is a wonderful historic facility that gives off a feeling of Southern charm. In fact, this beautifully restored 1873 farmhouse is the oldest standing home in Duluth. One defining feature of this venue is a railroad in front of the mansion that gives you a romantically historic place to take beautiful photos on the day. The gardens and home have been interwoven to offer a variety of indoor and outdoor options for your special occasion. Payne Corley offers its exclusive floral and event design company to help plan your wedding and you can have your own bridal room and groom’s house to get ready. The venue is complete with its own private dining location, The Cottage on Main, available to guests by reservation.
The Dekalb Historic Courthouse, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, is the jewel of downtown Decatur and is the perfect venue for wedding ceremonies, receptions, and rehearsal dinners. It was the third National Register listing in the Metropolitan Atlanta area and has an accompanying museum that opened in 1983. This venue makes the perfect backdrop for your event, with its marble walls, beautifully arched windows, and gorgeous gazebo, located at the rear of the courthouse. The historic venue is in the center of Decatur Square where all the city’s action occurs and makes for even more backdrops for great photos.
Our next venue, Rhodes Hall, was built in 1904 in between Piedmont Park and Downtown Atlanta by Amos Rhodes, the founder of Rhodes furniture. The historic building is not only a premiere wedding venue on the weekends. During the week it is a museum and the second floor of Rhodes Hall hosts the headquarters of the Georgia Trust. Today it is known as the “Castle on Peachtree” and is regarded as one of the finest intact expressions of late Victorian architectural design in the city and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The focal point of the interior is the restored original mahogany staircase and stained-glass windows reinstalled in 1990.
The Cowan Mill, located in Acworth can host large weddings, receptions, catered affairs, and presentations. It has space for a dance floor and movable stage, and exudes a “Classic Industrial Elegant” style with brickwork all around, exposed beams, and a grand chandelier hanging from the rafters. As soon as you walk in the chandelier is an elegant center point of the reception area. They have an amazing staff! We worked with Amanda Marcy Cowan Mill’s wedding planner/manager all day long. She could not have been more gracious and helpful!
Primrose Cottage is in historic Roswell, Georgia. Primrose Cottage was the first permanent private home in Roswell, Georgia. The house was built and completed in 1839 for Roswell King‘s recently widowed daughter, Eliza King Hand, and her children. History also tells us that Roswell King moved into the house with his daughter’s family.
In the 1980’s the house became a wedding venue. The historic wedding venue is large but offers an intimate setting and ambiance. Nestled on the edge of a stately front lawn, much of the three-story home and ballroom are hidden from view. Primrose Cottage reveals its secrets slowly as you approach from the horseshoe drive to the mansion.
Inside this historic wedding venue located in Roswell GA, there is a glass-encased Overlook and the Ballroom with views that never disappoint. During any season, the beauty of the natural surroundings is breathtaking. From this space, guests get a commanding view of the naturally landscaped forest that is the source of serenity and calmness. With floor to ceiling windows surrounding the ballroom space you are also surrounded by the forest.
Terminus 330 is in the heart of downtown. The upstairs of the venue is the epitome of industrial chic with an impressive wrought iron entrance that welcomes guests into a large open space with original hardwoods, exposed brick, vaulted ceiling, and warm natural light. The downstairs is a 1920’s inspired space that reminds me of the prohibition days, with original stonework and vintage lighting. There is even a rooftop terrace where you get a panoramic view of the Atlanta skyline.
The Solarium is a historic wedding venue located at 321 West Hill Street, Decatur, Georgia. It is in the middle of the Oakhurst Village of Decatur. It was designed in 1918 by architect Neel Reid. It was part of the series of buildings at the Old Scottish Rite Hospital. The other hospital support buildings are still there. The Solarium is an elegant backdrop for your weddings. It has that historic charm that I love. As you can tell from all my posts, I just love the historic architecture of the south. The Solarium has these huge windows in front that let in the most beautiful natural light. The convenient location and natural light make for a wonderful location for your wedding.
For a little history on the Swan House, you can go to the Atlanta History Center Website. The mansion was designed by Architectural Philip Trammell Shutze in 1928 for Mr and Mrs…Constructed in 1928 at the end of the depression for Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Emily Inman. Philip’s decorative arts collection is stored in the basement of the mansion. Ruby Ross Wood designed the interior of the house. The mansion has also been in the backdrop of several movies including the Hunger Games.
Historical wedding venue the Decatur Courthouse, it is the jewel of downtown Decatur and a wonderful venue that is a pure joy to shoot at! The couple could not have been more fun! The bride and groom had everything planned out, so it made the day easy and breezy.
To give you some background on the Biltmore Ballrooms Hotel was built in 1924, and was the focal point of Atlanta’s business and social life for almost sixty years. This splendid landmark was designed by the architecture firm Shultze and Weaver, who also designed such legendary hotels as The Breakers in Palm Beach, New York’s Waldorf-Astoria, The Pierre, and The Sherry Netherland. Once publicized as “The South’s Supreme Hotel”, The Biltmore closed its doors in 1982, following changes in ownership and years of steady decline. In 1999, after sixteen years of neglect and abandonment, The Biltmore underwent a total renovation, transforming the former hotel into a combination of Class A office space, retail and special event space. With the renovation of The Georgian and Imperial Ballrooms and now listed on The National Register of Historic Places, The Biltmore quickly recaptured its standing as one of the social and business epicenters of Atlanta. Featuring original handcrafted plaster relief ceilings, restored crystal chandeliers, Palladian windows and Tennessee marble floors, the Biltmore Ballrooms offer a truly spectacular backdrop for weddings, corporate events, or any social occasion.
The Piedmont room is a wonderful venue at the south end of Piedmont Park. Originally built in 1905, the building was first used as a horse stable and served as the clubhouse to the golf course that once resided within the park. Stone Mountain granite walls, original ivy-covered windows, and traditional wooden planked walls have been preserved to honor the building’s history. You get a magnificent view of the park and the Atlanta skyline there.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Flint Hill is a stunning antebellum home tucked away in Norcross – just a few minutes from Buckhead! The entire property is a wedding venue: the main house has rooms for the bar and the groomsmen’s suite on the first floor and the bridal party suite located on the second floor. Megan and her bridesmaids had a blast getting ready upstairs with champagne and plenty of mirrors to make sure every detail was perfect.
Little Gardens is a hidden gem in the Lawrenceville area. It is a colonial-style venue nestled amid a 7-acre estate. It has an outdoor ceremony area with a picturesque waterfall and koi fishpond. There is also a large bridal suite with overstuffed sofas and a floor-to-ceiling mirror to die for as well as a large ballroom and wrap-around bar in the reception area.
The Estate provides many services for their events, including valet parking, tables and chairs, setup and cleanup, in-house bar and catering, lighting/sound, wireless internet, a culinary team, and a sales manager to help you plan each element of the event. This mansion also has luxurious rooms for the bride and groom, plus the bridal party, to use before and after the ceremony. The Estate is an ideal location not just for weddings, but parties of multiple sizes and functions. The facilities here are available for corporate meetings, holiday parties, and birthdays as well as bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, and, of course, weddings.
The Houston Mill House is a wonderful historic wedding venue. To give you a little insight to the rich history I am going to include the story of this venue from their website. They can say it much better than I:
“In the early 1900’s people usually visited the Houston Mill for two reasons: to buy ground corn meal produced by Washington Jackson Houston’s grist mill or to attend the frequent social gatherings on the grounds. An entrepreneur, Major Houston converted the mill into DeKalb County’s first hydroelectric plant in 1900.
Harry J. Carr, an Atlanta contractor who built Druid Hills High School, the old DeKalb County Courthouse and the Candler Building downtown, bought the land from Major Houston in the early 1920’s and constructed his home, now known as Houston Mill House. Mr. Carr used fieldstone, poured concrete, and wrought iron for his three story, fourteen room home. He also built a magnificent stone fireplace in the house’s great room.”
In the 1960’s Emory University purchased the house and the surrounding property from Mr. Carr’s estate. In the mid-1970’s, the Emory Women’s Club orchestrated the house’s renovation. By the fall of 1979, the renovations were completed, and the house was open for business. Twenty-five years later the house is still known throughout Atlanta to be one of the most elegant event facilities in the city.”
I hope you visit the Houston Mill House and get a tour. You will fall in love with it’s historic Atlanta charm! You can contact them at Houston Mill House, 849 Houston Mill Road Atlanta, Georgia
Summerour Studio is an expansive, refurbished warehouse located in Atlanta’s exciting Westside, where the city’s industrial past frames many destinations for design, dining, and style. This wonderfully unique building is the main studio for Summerour & Associates architecture firm. Updated in 2005 by renowned architect Keith Summerour, the building was previously the home to Preston Rose Printing and had been in various uses since the 1920s. The roof over the 8000 square foot main space is supported by massive bow trusses, which allow the wide, open floor plan to be free of columns or supports. Revealed through a wall of windows that runs the entire length of the space is a breathtaking skyline view of Atlantic Station and Midtown.
Arrival to the studio takes visitors through a charming walled courtyard that evokes a rustic Tuscan villa. Throughout the rest of the spaces, one is constantly reminded of—and inspired by—the rich architectural and design disciplines that take place within the building. Careful, creative re-uses of industrial elements guarantee surprise and delight, and—as an unforgettable focal point—a hand-crafted wood replica of Michelangelo’s Laurentian Library staircase sits grandly but quietly at the room’s south wall.
The Callanwolde Fine Arts Center is a community arts conservatory and renowned venue located on a historic 12-acre campus in the heart of Atlanta. It was built in 1920 and was originally the home of Charles Howard Candler. Mr. Candler’s claim to fame was purchasing the rights to Coca-Cola from a local Atlanta pharmacist. The center was designed by Henry Hornbostel, who also designed Emory University. The mansion is considered a modern approach to the late Gothic Revival style of architecture. Some of the coolest features of the mansion are the white oak flooring, large windows in the dance studio, and large ballroom with tall ceilings accented with European arches along the walls. The focus of the interior is the grand staircase that has a two-story tall stained-glass window on the middle landing. Callanwolde’s floor plan is an open plan, where most rooms adjoin the great halls located on each floor. The 27,000 square foot mansion is centered around a large courtyard recently enclosed. The attention to fine detail is evident in the excellent craftsmanship of the walnut paneling, stained glass, bronze balustrades, the artistry of the delicate ceiling and fireplace reliefs, and the pierced tracery concealing the Aeolian organ chambers.
The Georgian Terrace is a grand hotel that opened in 1911. It has these huge floor to ceiling windows, crystal chandeliers and white marble columns. The hotel is on Peachtree Street right across from the Fox theater, where the premiere of Gone with the Wind was held and the pre-premiere party with the stars was held at the Georgian Terrace. They have also had many major motion pictures filmed in the hotel. The guests that have stayed at the hotels have ranged from presidents to the king of rock and roll Elvis Presley.
As a wedding photographer I love the venue for its rich character. The marble staircase makes for a elegant backdrop for wedding photos as you can see above. As you know, I have a deep passion for natural lighting for wedding photography. The floor to ceiling windows is such a major source for lighting. There is also an atrium that brings in wonderful light and grandeur to any photograph.
It is a beautiful venue with a ballroom to die for. The Georgian has three classic and elegant ballrooms as well as two restaurants, Edgar’s Proof & Provisions and the Livingston Restaurant & Bar, which even has a view of the Fox from its Mezzanine. This venue can offer you several packages for use of one of its gorgeous ballrooms, along with professional catering and attendants for your reception. It is a perfect location if you are expecting out-of-town guests. They can stay there in the hotel and walk to your wedding! Its unique architecture, including its soaring circular glass elevator and elegant spiral staircase, provides for beautiful and unique photo opportunities too. This venue is practical and beautiful all in one!
The Westside Warehouse on Huff Road in Atlanta, is a unique venue with all kinds of fun stuff. It is an event venue and antique store. So they can combine a lot of vintage decorations. The venue is decorated with wrought iron and many vintage tables and couches for guests. Also, for a warehouse it has lots of natural light as a photographer I love!
The architecture and decor at the Fox Theatre is gorgeous. When the Fox Theatre first opened, the local newspaper described it as having, “a picturesque and almost disturbing grandeur beyond imagination” and that grandeur has remained a feature of the venue to this day. It has a striking red-carpet entryway and ornate gilt work along the walls, in addition to soaring turreted ceilings and stained-glass windows. The main attraction, however, is the famous ceiling in the main theatre that transforms into a vast cobalt “sky” with a sea of twinkling stars that mesmerizes the audience. All these details were the perfect accent for the glamorous productions the Fox is famous for and will provide an amazing background for an event you will remember your whole life. The Egyptian Ballroom is on the second floor and is the room where most large parties and receptions are held.
Puritan Mill, is a large wedding event in the heart of downtown. Built in 1921, The Foundry at Puritan Mill was constructed and operated by Puritan Chemical Company. Puritan soap and other cleaning products were manufactured and stored in the building until they were shipped on the neighboring Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. The site served as the Atlanta headquarters for Puritan Chemical Company until 1996. In 2000, the location was purchased by Urban Realty Partners and Weaver & Woodbery Company to be restored and converted into a mixed-use facility.
At 12,000 square feet (about twice the area of a basketball court), The Foundry is a truly dramatic and flexible event space. Original pine beams, expansive skylights, and polished concrete floors offer a backdrop with character and history, illustrating the industrial past and lively present of Atlanta’s popular Westside. The spacious interior affords ample room for the installation of any event—from formal weddings to high-energy social events.
The Carlyle House in Historic Downtown Norcross provides the perfect indoor or outdoor wedding venue. The wedding venue’s outdoor terrace can give you the perfect setting for a winter, spring, summer, or fall wedding. This space truly allows you to hold your reception, seating, and bar both inside and outside. The interior of the venue is broken up into two spaces, the original historic house and the reception area addition. The historic portion of the house has a large den and dining area. It also has a large room with mirrors that serves as the bridal room. This historic section is perfect for organizing the bridal party for the wedding entrance. The reception area has a large dance floor and plenty of room for a large wedding. The Carlyle House has it all in the center of historic Norcross.
Cator Woolford Gardens is a hidden oasis between Atlanta and Decatur, the heart of Druid Hills. It is one of the few viable estates still standing in Atlanta. It is untouched by the city sprawl. The estate used to be the home of Cator Woolford, the founder of Equifax. The estate consists of Italian-style gardens that are perfect for weddings and events. There is a stone courtyard at the foot of the famous grand staircase. There is a pavilion for guests and a location for getting ready for brides and grooms. In the middle is the main garden surrounded by lush greenery, paths and small stone bridge and walkways. It is a perfect place for small engagement shoots or large weddings. Please check out this Atlanta gem.
The Solarium – Two young but accomplished architects were chosen for the design of the hospital buildings that opened in Decatur in 1918, Neel Reid and Hal Hentz. Until the 1930s, the medical profession had few drugs available to treat crippling childhood diseases so the original hospital design reflected the emphasis then given to providing young patients with plenty of sunshine and fresh air. The Georgian Revival-style buildings all have a southern exposure, allowing for plenty of sunshine. The ward buildings on each side of the central administration building have generous windows, including clerestory windows above the main roof-line to provide additional interior light. And in the days before air conditioning was common, the buildings were sited to allow ventilation in warm weather.
The design also included light and air-filled areas for play and rest. Each ward had a glass-enclosed sun or playroom. Sliding glass doors fronted each ward and originally led to screened porches. Bedridden children could be wheeled onto these porches or even onto paved terraces in front, to rest or play in the open air. Then, the new medicines that became available to treat childhood diseases in the 1940s reduced the importance of the screened porches. Steel casement windows have enclosed these porches since that time.
Two other main buildings were added later. A service annex, built prior to World War II is a one-storied addition attached to the north side of the administration building. Then, a nurses residence building was built following World War II to the east of the hospital.
In 1966 the hospital began taking paying patients so that specialty pediatric care would also be available to those who could pay. Other surgical specialists joined the orthopedics on staff as new surgical clinics were added and in 1971, additional services were developed including a Pediatric Continuity Clinic plus neurology, allergy, and cardiology clinics. The Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital finally left Decatur in 1976, eventually merging with Egleston Children’s Hospital to form today’s Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Incorporated in 1979, the Community Center of South Decatur worked for many years to facilitate the redevelopment of the historic Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital. Now, two decades of work by community activists have come to fruition. The renovation is complete, with the YWCA of Greater Atlanta, two art galleries and Progressive Redevelopment Incorporated, which completed the renovation project, among the tenants.
The Community Center of South Decatur is now renting the beautiful East Wing of the historic building for wedding receptions and other social events. Known as ”The Solarium at Historic Scottish Rite”, this tastefully appointed space, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of our area’s most desirable event venues.
Cherokee Town and Country Club is on the Grant Estate on West Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead. It is near the Chattahoochee River in Sandy Springs and is down the road from the Atlanta History Center/Swan House facility. The club is known for their excellence in service and dining. There is a large ballroom for receptions and weddings hall on the main floor along with a study, club bar and smaller meeting room for smaller weddings. There is also a small bar and reception area on the second floor of the clubhouse for private parties. I have shot several weddings there, and the service is top notch.
Druid Hills Country Club is across the street from Fernbank and is one of the oldest golf courses in Atlanta. It is a private club that can host small to large weddings. They have a large ballroom that overlooks the golf course on the north side of the facility. There is a large patio and veranda on the north side of the clubhouse. There you can set up large tents or high-tops for your wedding ceremony and cocktail hour. The staff is always professional and courteous.
I just recently shot a wedding at the Trolley Barn in the Inman Park neighborhood of Atlanta. I loved the venue! It is a historic Trolley Barn built in 1880. It has a large interior space with a rustic feel. On the side of the facility is a large patio with brick pavers and is surrounded by late 19th and 20th century architecture. The venue was easy to get to from downtown and was in a safe neighborhood. For information on this venue go to http://www.thetrolleybarn.com/
The Piedmont Driving Club is an Atlanta landmark next to Piedmont Park. It is a private social club with two club houses in Atlanta. It was founded in 1887 originally as the Gentlemen’s Driving Club. The name came from the members interest to “drive” the horse and carriages on the club grounds. The original golf course of the club was converted to Piedmont Park. The main clubhouse has a large ballroom and bar with a veranda overlooking Piedmont Park. It is an Atlanta club with a rich history.
Guardian Works is located within the vibrant 19-acre development of Echo Street West, Guardian Works is a standout venue in Atlanta’s emerging Westside Beltline district. Housed in a meticulously restored 1908 industrial building and former perfumery, this venue features 8,000 square feet of interior space with towering 24-foot ceilings, bathed in natural light from oversized windows. A 4,000-square-foot covered patio opens onto a sprawling 20,000-square-foot courtyard, ideal for outdoor celebrations under the stars. From historic remnants of its past life as a chemical company, such as original vats and oversized scales, to the chic industrial design of metal doors and red brick walls, Guardian Works is a space brimming with character. Whether you’re planning an intimate wedding or a large corporate event, Guardian Works offers the perfect blend of indoor and outdoor settings.
Thanks for checking out this Atlanta wedding photographers blog! I hope you enjoyed the read and found it interesting! Make sure you keep coming back to our blog to see what the Atlanta wedding photographers at Atlanta Artistic Weddings get up to! If you’d like to contact me go to the contact page and drop me a line at https://www.atlantaartisticweddings.com/contact-atlanta-wedding-photographer. I would love to hear from you!
Thanks again!
David
Source: https://www.atlantaartisticweddings.com
Source: https://www.atlantaartisticweddings.com
Atlanta Wedding Photographers – Atlanta Artistic Weddings
Here is a list of our Favorite Historic Venues in Atlanta
Atlanta History Center – swan house
The Lake House Avondale Estates
Cherokee Town and Country Club
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